Motor-vehicle driving means



C. i. NOEL AND K. K HICKS.

MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVING MEANS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20, 1919.

Patented Aug. 22, 1922.

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MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVING MEANS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20, 1919.

Patented Aug. 22., 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 C. J. NOEL AND K. K. HICKS.

MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVING MEANS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20 1919.

1,426,902 Patented Aug. 22, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

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CELEST JOSEPH NOEL, 0F DETROIT, AND KENNETH R. EKG, 015' GRAND RAPIDS,

MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORS T0 KIRK E. WICKS, TRUSTEE, 0F GRAND RAPIDS, MICE-TGAN.

MUTQR-VEHICLE DRIVING MEANS.

Application filed October '20, 1919. Serial No. $31,815. I I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CELEs'r JOSEPH Noun and KENNETH K. HICKS, citizensof the United States, residing at Detroit, count of Wayne, State ofMichigan, and Grand apids, county of Kent, State of Michigan,respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in MotorVehicle Driving Means, of which the following is a specification.

. This invention relates to improvements in motor vehicle driving means.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide in a motorvehicle an improved driving mechanism between the motor and the drivingor traction wheels.

Second, to provide in a motor vehicle an improved means replacing. theclutch, transmission, driving shafts, universal joints. driving gears,difierential gears, driving axles and service brakes commonly employedin motor vehicles driven by internal combustion engines.

Third, to provide in a motor vehicle an improved driving meanspermitting the differential action of the drivin wheels without theemployment of a di erential gearing.

improved driving means permitting the re versing of the drive withoutthe employment of reversing ears.

Fifth, to provi e an improved driving means for motor vehicles having alarge ran e of speed variation.

S xth, .to provide in a motor veh1cle an improved combined driving andbraking means. I

Seventh, to provide in a motor vehicle an improved driving means which18 very simple and economical in structure, l ght in weight and durable,and substantia ly noiseless in use.

F urther objects, and objects relating to structural details, willdefinitel appear from'the detailed description to to low We accomplishthe o jects of our 1nvention b the devices and means described in the tolowing specification. The invention is clearly defined and Pointedoutiin the claims. A structure which is a preferred embodiment of ourinventionis clearly illustrated Fourth, to provide .in a motor vehiclean in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, inwhich:

Fig. T is a plan view of the chassis of a motor vehicle embodying thefeatures of our invention, various parts being shown in con-' yentionalform for convenience in illustraion.

Fig. TT is a side elevation of parts of our improved driving mechanism,one of the driving wheels being indicated b dotted lines, the engine orpower sha being broken away.

Fig. TTT is an enlarged detail of one of the driven motors in section ona line cor- Speciflcation of Letters Patent. Patemfgqgqfl Aug, 2g, 19%21 res ondi i7g to line 3--3 of Figs. T and TT.

ig. T is a detail view on a line correspondin to line 4-4: of Fig. TTT,parts beng bro en away and sectioned to better illustrate the structuraldetails.

Fig. V is a detail section on a line cor res nding to line 5 5 of Fig.TTT.

ig. VT is a horizontal section on a line corresponding to line 6-6 ofFigs. TTT and TV.

Fig. VTT is an inside view of one of the motor cylinders, correspondingto Fig. TV with the rotor and rotor blades removed.

Fig. VTTT is a perspective view of one of the rotor blades.

Fig. TX is an enlarged detail sideeleva- 1 tion of the control valve.

Fig. X is a side elevation. of the control valve removed from itscasing.

Fig. XT is a vertical section through the control valve on a linecorresponding to line 11-- 11 of Fig. TX.

Fig. XTT is a diagrammatical view ofthe control valve showing thearrangement and I relation of the ports and. passa es thereof.

own conventionally,

ill

.tors 9 which are rigidly mounted on the ends of the rearaxle 10, theaxle 10 in the -structure illustrhted being provided with end plates 11to which the body or cylinder of the motor 9 is secured by means of thebolts 12. The motor 9 is provided with a head plate 13 on its outer sidedetachably secured by means of screws 14:.

The shaft 8 has a bearing 15 at its inner end and a bearing 16 in theplate 13. These bearings, we have shown conventionally, but it will beunderstood that'in practice a roller or other suitable bearing may berovided, as desired. Further, we have not attempted to maintain or showthe parts in relative roportion or size as to do so would compiicate theillustration and would, we believe, be confusing.

The rotor 17 is keyed to the shaft 8 and provided With radial slots 18for the blades 19. These blades are fiat and of uniform thickness fromedge to edge and from end to end, their outer edges being curved. Themovement of the blades is controlled by the cam 20 disposed at the innerend of the cylinder to coact with the over-hanging ends of the blades.

The rotor is cylindrical while the cylinder has a portion 21 extendingbetween the points a to awhich is a true circle and concentric with therotor. In other words, this circle centers in the rotor spindle.

The cylinder has a portion 22 between the points b-b which is a truecircle, concentric with the rotor and of such diameter that the rotor isa bearing fit therein. The ports 23 and 24 open into the cylinderbetween these points (1-1), the portions 21 and 22 of the cylinder beingjoined by irregularly curved portions 25, the ports being of such scopeas to substantially embrace these portions 25 so that the blades are notunder pressure while they are being moved by the cam which has a portion26 concentric with the portion 21 of the c linder and a portion 27concentric with t e portion- 22 of the cylinder. The shifting bladeportions 28 of the cam correspond in curvature with the portions 25 ofthe cylinder so that while the blades are on their work stroke frompoints a to a or traveling over the ortion 21 of the cylinder they arein a xed position relative to the rotor. When they reach the point a atthe discharge port, the pressure on the blades is released so that theytravel inward freely and with little wear or friction.

There is a space 29 between the rotor and the cam which neutralizes backpressure or prevents a back pressure on the blades.

We have only illustrated one of the driven motorsin detail and it willbe understood that theother is a duplicate thereof as is neaaeoa alsothe driving motoror pump 30, except that the latter is of less capacity.

The rotor of the driving motor or pump 30 is, in the structureillustrated, directly connected to the engine or driving shaft 31, thenumeral 31 indicating the fly-wheel of such shaft.

We will now describe the connections or conduits by means of which thedriving or transmission fluid is conducted from the driving motor to thedriven motors described. This consists of conduits 32 and 33 which forconvenience in description we designate herein as power and return,respectively. The power conduit 32 which is the dischar e conduit of thedriving motor is connected by the branches 34 tothe inlets 23 of thedriven motors while the return conduit 33 is connected by the branches35 to the exhaust or discharge 24 of the driven motors. The connections34 and 35 are preferably of flexible pipes to allow for the movement ofthe springs.

The pipes 32 and 33 are provided with a control valve 36 comprising acasing interposed in both pipes as shown in Fig. IX, and a rotary valve37 having ports 38 and 39 therein providing when in one position whichis its normal position for direct or forward drive, a direct connectionfor the ower and return pipes to the driven motors.

he valve also has spirally disposed passages 40 which are adapted to bebrought into register with the conduits 32 and 33, thus providing areverse connection there for, or for the driven motors, so that thepower is delivered to the drivenniotors through the ports 24, thusdriving them in the reverse direction or providing a reverse drive forthe vehicles.

The valve is provided with a by-pass pas sage 41 which connects theconduits 32 and 33 providing a by-pass connection therefor. This by-passposition is the normal position of the valve, in which position thecirculation through the driven motors is cut ofi', thereby providing abrake for the trac tion or driving wheels. As the valve is moved fromthis position the amount of liquid flowing through the by-pass becomesless and less and the power is delivered to the driven motors therebyproviding variation in speed from the minimum to the maximum. Thedimensions of the driving motor or pump relative to the driven motorsdetermines what might be designated as the normal ratio, a ratio of 3 to1 in a motor vehicle of the pleasure type being satisfactory and a ratioof 6 to 1 in a truck. This, of course, may be varied, as desired.

As the valve is moved from its open to its initial or closed position,the flow of liquid through the driven motors is gradually checked untilit is completely stopped, thus stopping the vehicle by a brake action onthe wheel.

- brakes commonl neaaeoa 53 The speed with which the valve is operated,of course, controls the braking action. y

We also preferably provide a valved connection 42 for the power andreturn conduits at the rear of the control valve which provides a bypassallowing the driving wheels to coast or run idle and also the engine to'idle. This valve we show conventionally as itsdetails form no .part ofour present invention.

The return pi e 33 is connected to a vented tank 43 w ich allows forexpansion and contraction of the liquid'and permits of the maintenanceof a supply to make up for external leakage. This also allows the escapeof air from the system and provides a convenient filling means therefor.

Our improved driving means is adapted to replace the clutch,transmission, driving shafts, universal joints, driving gears,differential gears, drivin axles and service emp oyed in motor'vehicles, particular y those driven by internal combustion engines, notonly greatly simplifying the structure but reducing weight, cost ofmanufacture and the up-keep of same.

We have illustrated and described our improvements quite largely inconventional form. 'We have not attempted to illustrate or describe thevarious modifications and adaptations which we contemplate and whichmight be desirable in adapting our improvements in different relationsin practice as we believe the disclosure made will enable those skilledin the art to which our invention relates to embody or adapt the same asmay be desired.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination with a running gear frame, an engine, an axle, and apair of driving wheels, of a fluid driving motor connected directly tosaid engine, a pair of fluid driven motors mounted on said axle andcomprising rotors having shafts on which said driving wheels aremounted, fluid connections for said driving and driven motors comprisinga power and a return conduit each havin branches connected to the inletsand ischarges respectively of said driven motors, a control valve commonto said power and return conduits and provided with passages and portsermitting the bypassing of a portion or all of the fluid from said werto said return conduit or the delivermg of a portion or all of the fluidto said driven motors or the delivery of the fluid thereto in reversedirection for reversing the same, or cutting of? the pamage of the fluidthrough said driven motors providing a braking means, and a valvedbymmconnection for said power and return conduits disposed at the rearof said control valve and in front of their branch connections to saiddriven motors.

2. The combination with a runnin gear frame, an engine, an axle, and apair 0 driving wheels, of a fluid driving motor connected directly tosaid engine, a pair of fluid driven motors mounted on said axle andcomprising rotors having shafts on which said drivin wheels are mounted,power and return con uits connecting said driving and driven motors,acontrol valve for said conduits provided with passages and portspermitting, the lay-passing of a portion or all of the fluid from saidpower to said return con-.

duit and the deliverin of a portion or all of the fluid to said drivenmotors through either connection to drive the driven motors I motorsproviding a braking means, thepower connections and return connectionsof said driven motors being in communication permitting differentialmovement thereof, and a .valved by-pass connection for said power andreturn conduits disposed at the rear of said control means.

3. The combination with a running gear frame, an engine, an axle, and apair of driving wheels, of a fluid driving motor connected directly tosaid engine, a pair of fluid driven motors mounted on said axle andcomprising rotors having shafts on which said drivin wheels are mounted,power and return con uits connecting said driving and driven motors, acontrol valve for said conduits provided with pamages and portspermitting the by-passing of a portion or all of the fluid from saidpower to said return conduit and the delivering of a portion or all ofthe fluid to said drive-n motors through either connection to drivethedriven motors in either direction, and a valved by-pass connectionfor said power and return conduits disposed at the rear of said controlmeans.

41:. In a motor vehicle, the combination of driving wheels, a fluiddriving motor, fluid driven motors connected tosaid driving. wheels,fluid connections for said driving and driven motors comprising a powerand a return conduit, :1. control valve for said power and returnconduits provided with passages and ports permitting the by-passmg of aportion or all of the fluid from said ower to said return conduit or thedelivermg of a portion or all of the fluid to saiddriven motors ineither direction, a valved by-pm connection for said power and returnconduits disposed at the rear of said said control valve.

5. In a motor vehicle, the combination of driving wheels, a fluiddriving motor, fluid driven motors connected to said dri ing wheels,fluid connections for said driving and driven motors comprising a poweran a return conduit, a control valve for said conduits provided withpassages and ports permitting the by-passing of a portion or all of thefluid from said power to said return conduit and the delivering of aportion or all of the fluid to said driven motors through eitherconnection to drive the driven motors in either direction, or thestopping of the circulation .of the fluid through said driven motorsproviding a braking means, the power connections and return connectionsof said driven motors being in connection permitting difl'erentialmovement thereof, and a valved by-pass connection forsaid power andreturn conduits disposed at the rear of said control means.

6. Ina motor vehicle, the combination of driving wheels, a fluid drivingmotor, fluid driven motors connected to said driving wheels, fluidconnections for said drivin and driven motors comprising a power and areturn conduit, a control valve forsaid conduits provided with passagesand ports permitting the by-passing of a portion or all of the fluidfrom said power to said return conduit and the delivering of a portionor all of the fluid tosaid driven motors through either connection todrive the driven motors in either direction, and a valved bypassconnection for said power and return conduits disposed at the rear ofsaid control means.

7. In a motor vehicle, the combination of' and ports permitting theby-passing o a portion or all of the fluid from the power motor to saidconduit and delivering of a portion or all of the fluid to said drivenmotor through either connection to drive the motor in either direction,or a stopping of the circulation of the fluid through sai driven motorproviding a breaking means, and a valved by-pass connection for saidpower and return conduits disposed between said driven motor and saidcontrol means.

8. In a combination with the running gear frame, an engine, an axle, apair of traction wheels, said axle being provided with end plates,driven motor cylinders comprising body portions secured to said endplates and head plates detachably secured to the outer side of said bodyportions, said head plates and body portions being provided withbearings, driven rotors in said cylinders, rotor shafts disposed in saidbearings and on which said traction wheels are mounted, a driving motor,connections for said driving motor to said driven motors comprisingpower and return conduits, and control means for said conduits.

9. In a combination with the running gear frame, an engine, an axle, apair of traction wheels, driven motor cylinders comprising body portionsecured to the ends of said axle and head plates detachably secured tothe outer side of said body or tions, said head plates and body portionsbeing rovided with bearings, drlven rotors in said cylinders, rotorshafts disposed in said bearlngs and on which said traction wheels aremounted, a driving motor, connections for said driving motor to saiddriven motors comprising power and return conduits, and control meansfor said conduits.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals in thepresence of two witnesses.

CELEST JOSEPH NOEL. [1a. s.] KENNETH K. HICKS. [13.8.] Witnesses:RAYMOND W. STARR, KIRK E. Wrens.

